Dennis' training began at the age of seven in Bend, Oregon. The year was 1984. Dennis’ introduction to martial arts came from Jim Mitchell and Don Smith in American Kenpo Karate. Training on and off through age twelve earning the rank of blue belt. Between twelve and fourteen he shifted his efforts to backyard training with friends. Nothing regimented, just backyard brawling, mixing boxing with wrestling. Nearing fifteen he began training with structure again under Cliff Taylor and Stephen Yerger in the AKEA (American Karate and Escrima Association). One year later Dennis was an assistant instructor and by the age of seventeen a full instructor (ranked as an instructor´s red belt) and part time manager. The next step was a move back to the Kenpo school in Bend at the age of eighteen.

In the beginning of 1996 with the help of a close friend, Brett Garlock, he sought out another level of training in Southern California. There he was introduced to a whole new world of training in PFS (Progressive Fighting Systems) under Patrick Lachman. Brett and Patrick gave him an insight into an evolutionary system while introducing Dennis to the Machado Brothers and Kru Puk/Pong at MTA (Muay Thai Academy/North Hollywood). Year end 1996 he returned to Oregon for three years.
   

From 1997 to 2001 he made trips to Southern California to continue training under Patrick and hone specific areas at MTA and John Jacques JJ. The bulk of his training came from JT Taylor (Marcelo Alonso/Carlson Gracie Team) in Bend and Dan Dunn/Willamette Valley Kickboxing in Corvallis (not to forget training with the Megaton Team/Eugene). His Jiu-Jitsu competition began in 1999. October, 1999 he won his first tournament and was awarded the rank of Blue belt by Carlson Gracie Professor Marcello Alonso. In November of 2000 he competed and won his first Pankration/MMA match, a bout for the Northwest 170lb. Title.

The match scheduled for five rounds ended in the 3rd via Kimora. The following Year Dennis turned professional as a Mixed Martial Artist. The year 2001 brought 5 straight victories, all of which where won in less than the allotted time. July of 2001 he returned to Los Angeles to continue his training in Muay Thai, boxing and Jiu-Jitsu at MTA and John Machado JJ. During this period there were some serious sacrifices to be made in order to make this training a possibility. His focus then turned toward Jiu-Jitsu for competitions, in addition to refining the standup arts of boxing at The Bomb Squad (with coach Julien Pineau) and Muay Thai (under Kru Santee).

    Dennis racked up a number of wins in championships in the Southern California area, including the Jean Jaques Open 1st Place, US Nationals Lightweight Blue belt 1st, Gracie Open Blue belt lightweight 1st. Winning the Gracie open in February of ‘03 gave him the opportunity to visit Brazil for the first time. His first week was spent at Helio Gracie’s house, then for the following five weeks his training continued at Gracie Barra, all the while preparing for an upcoming challenge match against his Brazilian counterpart in the US vs. Brazil match in the PAN AMS of Jiu-Jitsu.

    The time in Brazil was well spent as he came back to win gold in the challenge match. Following the championship John Machado awarded him the rank of purple belt. During his time in Brazil he requested  Roberto “Gordo” Correa allow him to represent GBCT and was accepted. After confirming acceptance on the GBCT one month later he returned to Gracie Barra to punch his way back into the world of MMA. Training started out great…Unexpectedly two and a half weeks into the return during training he broke his fibula with a spiral fracture just above the ankle. The next year and a half to follow brought two operations, lots of physical therapy and lots of complications. Training was off and on, never allowing him to get back into the rythm. In spring of ’05 he returned to the US. Not until Summer of ’06 did his training pull back together. Thanks to the help of Paul Schreiner, Garth Taylor and Jesse Landis. training was a solid pillar in  life again. December 11 ’06 he was back in Brazil and a few weeks later training daily with the Combat Team.

    As of September of 2007 Dennis now holds the rank of Brown Belt under Master Roberto Correa. Training has once again turned to refining the skills of Jiu-Jitsu and competing in the sport.

 -OTM Ranking-